scholarly journals Comparison of ankylosing spondylitis patients with and without fibromyalgia syndrome according to the disease activation scores and response to treatment

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-517
Author(s):  
Yunus Durmaz ◽  
İlker İlhanlı
Keyword(s):  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Biological Therapy ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Hla B27 ◽  
Acute Phase Reactants

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to compare the AS patients with and without FM according to the disease activity, clinical and laboratory findings, and response to treatment. Patients and methods: Between September 2016 and September 2020, a total of 511 patients (312 males, 119 females; mean age: 43.0±11.2 years; range, 18 to 77 years) who were diagnosed with AS were retrospectively analyzed. Age, sex, disease duration, disease onset age, and extra-articular findings were recorded. Medical treatments used by the patients for the treatment of AS and FM were noted. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), human leukocyte antigen-B27 (HLA-B27) status, and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) with ESR (ASDAS-ESR) and ASDAS-CRP values were recorded. Results: The frequency of FM in AS patients was 23.2%. Totally, 75.4% of the FM patients were female. The HLA-B27 positivity, extra-articular involvement frequency, disease duration, and acute phase reactants levels were similar between AS patients with and without FM (p=0.118, p=0.154, p=0.829, p=0.113, and p=0.763, respectively). The AS patients with FM had lower rates of achieving remission or low disease activity, compared to those without FM. The mean of all three disease activity scores between these two groups was also higher in the AS patients with FM (p<0.001). The rate of use of biological therapy was significantly higher in the AS patients with FM than those without FM (p=0.037). Conclusion: Since the treatment plan of AS is made based on the disease activity scores, unnecessary biological therapy may be initiated for patients or the biological therapies they use may be switched unnecessarily. Therefore, it should be kept in mind that FM may present with AS in patients who do not respond to treatment clinically, and this may be misinterpreted as treatment unresponsiveness.

The Prevalence of Renal Impairment in Patients with Spondyloarthritis: Results from the International ASAS-COMOSPA Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 795-801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Couderc ◽  
Bruno Pereira ◽  
Anna Molto ◽  
Aurélien Tiple ◽  
Martin Soubrier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Renal Impairment ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Antiinflammatory Drug ◽  
Hla B27

Objective.To assess the prevalence and association of renal dysfunction in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA).Methods.The ASAS-COMOSPA (Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society-COMOrbidities in SPondyloArthritis) was an international study (22 participating countries from 4 continents) investigating comorbidities in SpA. Renal function was assessed based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. SpA characteristics and risk factors for renal impairment were collected. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use was assessed based on current intake (last 3 mos).Results.Of the 3984 patients recruited, 2098 (52.6%) were analyzed after excluding outliers and patients with no available eGFR measurement [male sex: 63.5%; age: 45.3 yrs; disease duration: 8.6 years; HLA-B27+: 73.1%; Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI): 3.6/10]. Overall, 153 patients (5.2%, mean age: 53.6 yrs) exhibited an eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. In univariate analysis, renal impairment was associated with age (p < 0.001), HLA-B27 positivity (p = 0.003), several cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (history of hypertension, p < 0.001; systolic blood pressure, p = 0.009; diabetes, p = 0.005; and Framingham risk score, p < 0.001), disease activity scores [BASDAI, p = 0.001; Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP), p < 0.001], functional variables (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, p < 0.001), inflammatory biomarkers (erythrocyte and CRP, both p < 0.001), and NSAID intake since onset of disease (percentage of days, p = 0.008). However, there was no association with disease duration, disease severity, or ASAS-NSAID score. In multivariate analysis, age (45–59 yrs: OR 1.9, > 60 yrs: OR 6.2), HLA-B27 positivity (OR 0.51), and CRP (OR 1.3) remained significantly associated with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2.Conclusion.Renal impairment was associated with age, HLA-B27 positivity, and inflammation, though not with CV risk factors, disease severity, or NSAID intake in patients with SpA.

scholarly journals AB0669 PARTICULARITIES OF TUNISIAN FEMALE AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1629.2-1629
Author(s):  
K. Ben Abdelghani ◽  
Y. Gzam ◽  
A. Fazaa ◽  
S. Miladi ◽  
K. Ouenniche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

Background:Axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA) is a chronic rheumatic disease that mainly affects men. However, the female form of ax-SpA remains insufficiently studied.Objectives:The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics, the disease activity and the functional impact of female ax-SpA in comparison with male ax-SpA.Methods:This is a retrospective study including patients diagnosed with ax-SpA fulfilling the criteria of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) 2009.Clinical parameters, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) and Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI) were compared between groups of female and male ax-SpA.Results:Two hundred ax-SpA patients were included with 31% of female (n=62) and a mean age of 43,3 ± 11,2 years.The mean age at onset of symptoms was 31,8 ± 8,9 years for women and 25,3 ± 9,1 years for men (p <0,0001). The mean age at diagnosis was 36,4 ± 9,6 years for women and 31,7 ± 10,4 years for men (p = 0,003). Ax-SpA with juvenile onset was noted in 1,7% of women and 12,1% of men (p = 0,02). Male ax-SpA were significantly more smokers (46.8% vs 5.4%; p <0.001). The mean duration of morning stiffness was 11,3 ± 9,2 minutes for women versus 21,6 ± 19,3 minutes for men (p = 0,005).The mean ESR was 42,4 ± 29,8 mm for women and 28,3 ± 23,4 mm for men (p = 0,001). Radiographic sacroiliitis was present in 69,3% of women versus 84,7% of men (p = 0,01). The use of anti-TNF alpha was less frequent in women (29% vs 48,5%; p = 0,01).Our study didn’t found a statistically significant difference in peripheral manifestations, extraarticular manifestations, CRP, BASDAI and BASFI between the two groups.Conclusion:Female ax-SpA seems to have a better prognosis than male with older age in disease onset, less inflammation, less radiographic sacroiliitis and less use of biological treatments.References:[1]Rusman T, et al. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2018; 20(6).[2]Siar N, et al. Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2019;Disclosure of Interests:None declared

The Association Between Disease Activity and Duration in Systemic Sclerosis

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 2299-2306 ◽  
Author(s):  
JENNIFER G. WALKER ◽  
RUSSELL J. STEELE ◽  
MIREILLE SCHNITZER ◽  
SUZANNE TAILLEFER ◽  
MURRAY BARON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Diffuse Disease ◽  
Patient Reported

Objective.The absence of a standardized disease activity index has been an important barrier in systemic sclerosis (SSc) research. We applied the newly derived Valentini Scleroderma Disease Activity Index (SDAI) among our cohort of patients with SSc to document changes in disease activity over time and to assess possible differences in activity between limited and diffuse disease.Methods.Cross-sectional study of a national cohort of patients enrolled in the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group Registry. Disease activity was measured using the SDAI. Depression scores were measured using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).Results.A total of 326 out of 639 patients had complete datasets at the time of this analysis; 87% were female, of mean age 55.6 years, with mean disease duration 14.1 years. SDAI declined steeply in the first 5 years after disease onset and patients with diffuse disease had 42% higher SDAI scores than patients with limited disease with the same disease duration and depression scores (standardized relative risk 1.42, 95% CI 1.21, 1.65). Patients with higher CES-D scores had higher SDAI scores relative to patients with the same disease duration and disease subset (standardized RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.14, 1.31). Among the 10 components that make up the SDAI, only skin score (standardized OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.43, 0.82) and patient-reported change in skin (standardized OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.45, 0.92) decreased with increasing disease duration. High skin scores (standardized OR 32.2, 95% CI 15.8, 72.0) were more likely and scleredema (standardized OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37, 0.92) was less likely to be present in patients with diffuse disease. High depression scores were associated with positive responses for patient-reported changes in skin and cardiopulmonary function.Conclusion.Disease activity declined with time and patients with diffuse disease had consistently higher SDAI scores. Depression was found to be associated with higher patient activity scores and strongly associated with patient self-response questions. The role of depression should be carefully considered in future applications of the SDAI, particularly as several components of the score rely upon patient recall.

scholarly journals Assessment of Subclinical Vascular Disease Associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 723-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
NÓRA BODNÁR ◽  
GYÖRGY KEREKES ◽  
ILDIKÓ SERES ◽  
GYÖRGY PARAGH ◽  
JÁNOS KAPPELMAYER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Vascular Disease ◽  
Aortic Stiffness ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Spine Mobility

Objective.Studies indicate that ankylosing spondylitis (AS), as well as rheumatoid arthritis, may be associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and vascular disease. We assessed endothelial dysfunction, carotid atherosclerosis, and aortic stiffness in AS in context with clinical and laboratory measurements.Methods.Forty-three patients with AS and 40 matched healthy controls were studied. We assessed common carotid intima-media thickness (ccIMT), flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), and pulse-wave velocity (PWV) in association with age, disease duration, smoking habits, body mass index, patient’s assessment of pain and disease activity, Bath AS Disease Activity Index, Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), metric measurements, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and HLA-B27 status.Results.We found impaired FMD (6.85 ± 2.98% vs 8.30 ± 3.96%; p = 0.005), increased ccIMT (0.65 ± 0.15 vs 0.54 ± 0.15 mm; p = 0.01), and higher PWV (8.64 ± 2.44 vs 8.00 ± 1.46 m/s; p = 0.03) in patients with AS compared to controls, respectively. We also found that ccIMT negatively correlated with FMD (r = −0.563; p = 0.0001) and positively correlated with PWV (r = 0.374; p = 0.018). Both ccIMT and PWV correlated with disease duration (r = 0.559; p = 0.013 and r = 0.520; p = 0.022, respectively), BASFI (r = 0.691; p = 0.003 and r = 0.654; p = 0.006), decreased lumbar spine mobility (r = −0.656; p = 0.006 and r = −0.604; p = 0.013), chest expansion (r = −0.502; p = 0.047 and r = −0.613; p = 0.012), and increased wall-occiput distance (r = 0.509; p = 0.044 and r = 0.614; p = 0.011).Conclusion.In this well characterized AS population, impaired FMD and increased ccIMT and PWV indicate abnormal endothelial function and increased atherosclerosis and aortic stiffness, respectively. The value of noninvasive diagnostic tools needs to be further characterized.

Predictors of Clinical Remission under Anti-tumor Necrosis Factor Treatment in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: Pooled Analysis from Large Randomized Clinical Trials

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 1418-1426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xenofon Baraliakos ◽  
Andrew S. Koenig ◽  
Heather Jones ◽  
Annette Szumski ◽  
David Collier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Clinical Remission ◽  
Partial Remission ◽  
Tumor Necrosis ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Hla B27 ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Objective.Investigate the role and relation of disease duration of different factors for achieving clinical remission with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Methods.Data pooled from 4 large (n = 1281) clinical trials were used to compare disease duration subgroups for placebo or sulfasalazine (SSZ) versus etanercept (ETN), which, in turn, were analyzed by age of diagnosis ≤ 40 versus > 40 years, HLA-B27 status, and baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) ≤ upper limit of normal (ULN) versus > ULN using chi-square tests, and ANCOVA. The primary efficacy measure was Assessments of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) partial remission (PR) after 12 weeks of treatment. Also analyzed were Bath AS Disease Activity Index and Functional Index, AS Disease Activity Scores, and ASAS response rates.Results.Overall, a larger percentage of patients achieved ASAS-PR with ETN versus SSZ or placebo. More patients with ≤ 2-year disease duration treated with ETN experienced partial remission (34%) versus longer disease duration (30%, 27%, and 22% for > 2–5, > 5–10, and > 10 yrs, respectively; all p < 0.05). In the subgroup of patients with both disease duration ≤ 2 years and aged ≤ 40 years at diagnosis, the treatment response was even more pronounced. Similar results were seen in HLA-B27–positive patients in the disease duration ≤ 2-year subgroup. Overall, patients with high CRP at baseline had better treatment responses compared with patients with normal CRP.Conclusion.Treatment response under anti-TNF treatment with ETN at 12 weeks was greatest among patients with disease duration ≤ 2 years and even more pronounced in subgroups of patients ≤ 40 years old or HLA-B27–positive at diagnosis.

Relationship Between Some Acute Phase Reactants and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

2004 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kadir Yildirim ◽  
Akin Erdal ◽  
Saliha Karatay ◽  
Meltem Alkan Melikoğlu ◽  
Mahir Uğur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Acute Phase Reactants

scholarly journals Effects of ustekinumab on spondylitis-associated endpoints in TNFi-naïve active psoriatic arthritis patients with physician-reported spondylitis: pooled results from two phase 3, randomised, controlled trials

RMD Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e001149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip S Helliwell ◽  
Dafna D Gladman ◽  
Soumya D Chakravarty ◽  
Shelly Kafka ◽  
Chetan S Karyekar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Hip Pain ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Hla B27 ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Link Type

BackgroundThe interleukin-12/23p40-subunit-inhibitor ustekinumab significantly improved spondylitis-related symptoms through Week 24 in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with peripheral arthritis and physician-reported spondylitis (PA-PRS) in PSUMMIT-1&2. We further evaluated ustekinumab’s effect on spondylitis-related endpoints in PSUMMIT-1&2 tumour necrosis factor-inhibitor (TNFi)-naïve patients with PA-PRS.MethodsPatients with active PsA (≥5 swollen and ≥5 tender joints, C-reactive-protein ≥ 3.0 mg/L) despite conventional (PSUMMIT-1&2) and/or prior TNFi (PSUMMIT-2) therapy received subcutaneous ustekinumab 45 mg, 90 mg or placebo (Week 0, Week 4, Week 16). Changes in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) neck/back/hip pain question (#2) and modified BASDAI (mBASDAI, excluding PA) scores and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) responses were assessed at Weeks 12 and 24.ResultsThe pooled PSUMMIT-1&2, TNFi-naïve (n=747), PA-PRS (n=223) subset (158 with human-leucocyte-antigen (HLA)-B27 results) presented with moderate-to-severe spondylitis-related symptoms (mean BASDAI-neck/back/hip pain-6.51, mBASDAI-6.54, BASDAI-6.51, ASDAS-3.81). Mean Week 24 changes were larger among ustekinumab than placebo-treated patients for both neck/back/hip pain (−1.99 vs −0.18) and mBASDAI (−2.09 vs −0.59). Improvements in neck/back/hip pain and fatigue appeared numerically greater in HLA-B27+ than HLA-B27– patients; those for other domains were generally consistent. Greater proportions of ustekinumab versus placebo-treated patients achieved ASDAS clinically important improvement at Week 24 (decrease ≥ 1.1; 49.6% vs 12.7%; nominal p<0.05).ConclusionsImprovements in BASDAI neck/back/hip pain and mBASDAI among ustekinumab-treated, TNFi-naïve, PsA patients with PA-PRS were clinically meaningful and consistent across assessment tools. Numerically greater improvements in neck/back/hip pain in HLA-B27+ than HLA-B27– patients, noted in the context of similar overall mBASDAI improvements between the subgroups, suggest ustekinumab may improve disease activity in TNFi-naïve PsA patients likely to exhibit axial disease.Clinical trial registration numbersPSUMMIT 1, NCT01009086; PSUMMIT 2, NCT01077362.

P009 Osteoporosis is a frequent complication in enthesitis related arthritis patients

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanene Ferjani ◽  
Hiba Bettaieb ◽  
Kaouther Maatallah ◽  
Dorra Ben Nessib ◽  
Wafa Triki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Activity ◽  
Corticosteroid Therapy ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Osteoporotic Fractures ◽  
P Value ◽  
Bone Mass Loss ◽  
Enthesitis Related Arthritis

Abstract Background Enthesitis related arthritis (ERA) represents a clinical entity of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This chronic rheumatic disease may lead to early bone mass loss and increase risk fracture. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of clinical osteoporosis in patients with ERA and to identify what factors are associated with increased occurrence of osteoporosis. Methods We reviewed the medical records of patients with confirmed ERA. We analyzed their demographic data and the clinical characteristics. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to determine bone status. Osteoporosis was defined as Z score &lt;-2.5DS. Disease activity was evaluated by: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package. A P-value &lt; 0.05 was considered significant. Results Thirty-three patients (27 male and 7 female) with a mean age at of 23.8 ± 7.5 years were enrolled. The mean age at disease onset was 12 ± 2.6 years. Median disease duration was 108 months [12–408]. The median ESR and CRP levels were 35 mm/h [8–90] and 20 mg/l [1–70] respectively. Median BASDAI score was 4.7 [1–9.7]. At bone densitometry, osteoporosis and osteopenia were found in 44.1% and 23.5% cases respectively. None of the patients had a history of osteoporotic fractures. Long term corticosteroid therapy and sedentarily were noted in 18.2% and 47.1% of patients respectively. On statistical analysis, osteoporosis was associated with these parameters: age at ERA onset (P = 0.035), disease duration (P = 0.04), CRP (P = 0.009), BASDAI score (P = 0.05) and sedentarily (P = 0.031). Neither corticosteroid therapy (P = 0.68) nor high ESR level (P = 0.73) were associated with osteoporosis. Conclusion In this study, osteoporosis was a common extra articular feature during ERA. As adult spondyloarthritis, disease activity, duration and sedentarily seem to be associated with the bone loss.

Disease Severity in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Variation by Region and Local Area Deprivation

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 633-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
EMMA L. HEALEY ◽  
KIRSTIE L. HAYWOOD ◽  
KELVIN P. JORDAN ◽  
ANDREW M. GARRATT ◽  
JONATHAN C. PACKHAM
Keyword(s):  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Area Deprivation ◽  
Deprived Areas

Objective.To investigate whether patient disease severity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) varies among regions or by local area social deprivation.Methods.Eight hundred patients with AS from 8 specialist rheumatology centers across England were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Sociodemographic and disease-related variables were collected [pain (numerical rating scale), disease activity (Bath AS Disease Activity Index), and physical function (Bath AS Functional Index)]. Deprivation was measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004.Results.Of the 800 patients invited, 468 responded (adjusted response rate 62.8%). Most were male (72.9%), with a mean age of 50.2 years (SD 12.1), and a mean diagnosed disease duration of 17 years (SD 11.4). Across all centers, those living in more deprived areas demonstrated significantly greater disease severity and poorer psychological health. After controlling for age, gender, disease duration, and region, greater deprivation was significantly associated with greater disease activity (OR 3.39; 95% CI 1.65, 6.98) and poorer function (OR 4.46; 95% CI 2.11, 9.44). There was a nonsignificant trend toward more pain (OR 1.98; 95% CI 0.97, 4.07). There was also a significant independent association between region and disease severity.Conclusion.The need for healthcare is greatest for patients with AS who are living in more socially deprived areas. With the growing use of interventional therapies, these findings have important implications if health service resources are to be allocated equitably; particularly as deprived patients are known to access healthcare less frequently.

scholarly journals HLA-B27 is associated with reduced disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James T. Rosenbaum ◽  
Michael H. Weisman ◽  
Hedley Hamilton ◽  
Cassie Shafer ◽  
Elin Aslanyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Disease Activity Index ◽  
Medical Decision ◽  
Hla B27 ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
The Difference

AbstractHLA-B27 is associated with increased susceptibility and disease activity of ankylosing spondylitis, but the effect of HLA-B27 on the activity of the broader category now called axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) is apparently the opposite. A modified Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) was used to assess disease activity among 3435 patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) who participated in a survey designed to assess the effect of their disease and its treatment on the susceptibility and severity of Covid-19. Chi square testing was used to compare BASDAI scores between HLA-B27 positive and negative subjects. 2836 survey respondents were HLA B27 positive. The average BASDAI for the HLA-B27 negative cohort was 4.92 compared to 4.34 for the HLA-B27 positive subjects. Based on linear regression, a subject’s sex could not fully account for the differing BASDAI score in HLA-B27 negative subjects compared to those who are HLA-B27 positive. The difference between B27 positive and negative subjects was skewed by those with a BASDAI score of one or two. HLA-B27 positive subjects were more than twice as likely to have a BASDAI score of 1 compared to HLA B27 negative subjects and about 60% more likely to have a BASDAI score of 2 (p < 0.0001). HLA-B27 positive subjects have less active spondyloarthritis compared to HLA-B27 negative subjects as measured by a BASDAI score. Our data indicate that patients with mild back pain and a diagnosis of AxSpA are disproportionately HLA-B27 positive. The HLA-B27 test facilitates the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis such that patients from a community survey with mild back pain may be disproportionately diagnosed as having AxSpA if they are HLA-B27 positive. The test result likely introduces a cognitive bias into medical decision making and could explain our observations.

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